1
2
as in chooses
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
set a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in values
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
fire losses were set at a million dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in decides
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
finally set some plans for the luncheon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
had the jeweler set the diamond again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gels
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gelatin is just starting to set now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set a book on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in packs
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a set of tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production
built sets for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sets
P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
What sets a muffuletta, that iconic sandwich from New Orleans, apart from other sandwiches similarly stuffed with assorted deli meats is the olive salad that’s slathered across the bread.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 May 2026
That’s another thing that sets him apart from most top starters.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In Texas, advocates for transgender rights said the settlement with Texas Children’s sets a troubling precedent.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 16 May 2026
The next trip down the floor, Robinson sets a hard screen at the top of the key for Jalen Brunson, who dribbles into a pull-up three to put the Knicks up 17.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Her performance is uncanny, though the conception and function of the character — a mentally ill innocent who mostly sets other performers and society into relief — is thankless and the film’s weakest link.
—Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
The two wind up crossing paths again and hooking up much more intensely, in a sweaty and passionate bout of lovemaking that sets the stage for a true romance.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
All the bullpen chaos and the name-switching and injuries and only one off day really in this whole stretch … the starters getting deep into games is what really sets that up to be possible to happen, in my eyes.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
On top of their imminent tour, which spans North America, Europe, and Japan, the Strokes will play headlining sets at this year’s Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
If both sets of symptoms sound familiar, your water may be doing more damage than your routine ever could.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Brands like Kallmeyer and The Frankie Shop have leaned into the idea with matching shirt-and-tie sets that make the look feel intentionally effortless.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Matching lounge sets, cozy knits, versatile layers, and shoes that can handle a full travel day all play a role in her approach to packing.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
The Bells are 3-0 this season against Mitty, winning two by sweep and the most recent (April 16) in five sets.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Its seven stages are mindfully bento-boxed within Bayfront Park’s topography, allowing for relatively short walks between sets while also avoiding sound bleed.
—Danny Klein, SPIN, 14 May 2026
Marysko and Ruland then lost their singles matches in straight sets ahead of Tarvet’s win.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Verb
That particular section, which sets new standards around warehouse operations and gives employees more information about company quotas and biometric surveillance, has drawn pushback from CBIA.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
What sets a muffuletta, that iconic sandwich from New Orleans, apart from other sandwiches similarly stuffed with assorted deli meats is the olive salad that’s slathered across the bread.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 May 2026
That’s another thing that sets him apart from most top starters.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
In Texas, advocates for transgender rights said the settlement with Texas Children’s sets a troubling precedent.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 16 May 2026
The next trip down the floor, Robinson sets a hard screen at the top of the key for Jalen Brunson, who dribbles into a pull-up three to put the Knicks up 17.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Her performance is uncanny, though the conception and function of the character — a mentally ill innocent who mostly sets other performers and society into relief — is thankless and the film’s weakest link.
—Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
The two wind up crossing paths again and hooking up much more intensely, in a sweaty and passionate bout of lovemaking that sets the stage for a true romance.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
All the bullpen chaos and the name-switching and injuries and only one off day really in this whole stretch … the starters getting deep into games is what really sets that up to be possible to happen, in my eyes.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Noun
Complete sets will be entered into one of several raffles the team has planned.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
On top of their imminent tour, which spans North America, Europe, and Japan, the Strokes will play headlining sets at this year’s Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
If both sets of symptoms sound familiar, your water may be doing more damage than your routine ever could.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Brands like Kallmeyer and The Frankie Shop have leaned into the idea with matching shirt-and-tie sets that make the look feel intentionally effortless.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Matching lounge sets, cozy knits, versatile layers, and shoes that can handle a full travel day all play a role in her approach to packing.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
The Bells are 3-0 this season against Mitty, winning two by sweep and the most recent (April 16) in five sets.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Its seven stages are mindfully bento-boxed within Bayfront Park’s topography, allowing for relatively short walks between sets while also avoiding sound bleed.
—Danny Klein, SPIN, 14 May 2026
Marysko and Ruland then lost their singles matches in straight sets ahead of Tarvet’s win.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
-
The coupling that El Niño spawns between the atmosphere and the warmer water along the Equator tends to create sinking winds over the Atlantic that disrupt cloud formations that could otherwise become hurricanes.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Hating cops also spawns ridiculous protests, like the ones that called for police to be defunded.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If Starmer chooses to step aside, or is ousted, his successor would become Britain’s sixth prime minister in seven years.—
Isa Soares,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
But where the décor favors restraint, the food chooses extravagance.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Excellent public schools and classic New England architecture draw families looking for a community that values education and neighborhood character.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The two-time Oscar winner, who has starred in movies including Training Day, Philadelphia, and Malcom X, also values paying it forward while hitting new career heights.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
On the reverse side were the locations of the seventy-two teams that make up the first three divisions of the National League System, which sits below the English Football League.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
In the spring of 2015, Syrian military forces bore down on Jisr al-Shughur, which sits at a strategic juncture along a majorhighway.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The 4,305-square-foot location nestled in Via Signorelli — a 10-minute walk from the city’s ADI Design Museum — aims to house all the activities of the firm under one roof, as the company has pivoted its business following investment from Gyrus Capital last year.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
-
Through an array of educational programming, events and activities for both children and adults, the Garden aims to create, share and apply plant wisdom to the world, according to the news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
So in that sense, a lot of what clipping does is help good artists find the audiences who would’ve liked them anyway by accelerating the early excitement just enough to push them past the algorithmic threshold that decides who gets discovered and who doesn’t.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
And the audience, Hammond has come to understand, is ultimately the one who decides.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This secures your baby at the shoulders, waist and between the legs, preventing falls.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
If the samples test positive, then the company drills to validate the discovery, secures rights to the site, and sells the rights off to a mining company.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Romano puts herself in the curious position of fighting a battle that has already been won on facts but not yet in legend.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Also, spin rate (how fast the ball spins after being released) is king, and that also puts tremendous strain on the elbow and shoulder.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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